The Nerdy American

These are the musings of a lifelong geek who has become something of a professional nerd. They go from deep-cut nerdery to superficial silliness, and I hope to include details on my adventure through the fanboy landscape in the form of video, podcasts, essays and much more. Stay tuned.

Heading to Austin Comic Con? Make certain to find me at the panels below, and tweet @AaronSagers - there might be some swag in it for you!

THURSDAY

5:00 -- 5:45PM BATMAN AT 75! (AND THE TIM BURTON BATMAN MOVIE AT 25!) WITH ALAN J. PORTER, AARON SAGERS AND DANNY FINGEROTH (ROOM 10AB)While other creators scrambled to cash in on Superman’s sudden popularity by creating more bright, impossible heroes, Bob Kane and Bill Finger gave us Gotham City’s dark and improbably possible Batman. Batman first appeared in Detective Comics#27 (1939) and has gone on to become one of the most recognizable figures in the world. 2014 also marks the 25th anniversary of Tim Burton’s Batman motion picture, the 50th anniversary of Batman’s “New Look,” and the 100th birthday of uncredited Batman co-creator Finger. We’ve assembled an all-star anniversary panel to discuss the Dark Knight’s history and legacy: Alan J. Porter (The Unofficial Batman Collectors Guide; James Bond: The History of the Illustrated 007), journalist Aaron Sagers (Travel Channel, Paranormal Pop Culture), and Danny Fingeroth (Superman on the Couch; Disguised as Clark Kent).

6:00 – 6:45PM PARANORMAL CITY: AUSTIN WITH AARON SAGERS (ROOM 10AB)From classy hotels to bawdy brothels, stately buildings to popular pubs, Austin is a wild west town with wild ghost stories. And beyond a crazy music scene, the Capital of Texas has been home to crazy stories of monsters and urban legends. Join TV host and journalist Aaron Sagers (Travel Channel, Paranormal Pop Culture) and other experts of the unexplained for a spirited, Texas-sized talk about the tall tales, folklore, myths and legends of Austin!

FRIDAY

2:00 – 2:45PM FROM CAP’S SHIELD TO AGENTS OF SHIELD TO GROOT! MARVEL COMICS AT 75 WITH DANNY FINGEROTH & AARON SAGERS (ROOM 6)In 1939, Marvel Comics #1 debuted, unleashing The Sub-Mariner and The Human Torch on the world, and launching what would come to be known as the Marvel Universe. Danny Fingeroth (Spider-Man; The Stan Lee Universe; longtime Marvel writer/editor, researcher on Taschen’s upcoming 75 Years of Marvel: From the Golden Age to the Silver Screen)

4:30 – 5:15PM CON RADIO LIVE - JOIN US FOR THE "CON SMASH” PODCAST (ROOM 10AB)Con Radio is a brand new podcast service that covers all things pop culture - from movie & TV news to comic reviews, action figures to pro wrestling, the scary to the geeky! Join us for the latest recording of Con Radio's premiere program "Con SMASH," featuring special guests to be announced, prize giveaways and more, hosted by Mo Lightning (Voice of Wizard World, WrestlingAudio.com) and Aaron Sagers (Editor At Large of Blastr.) Learn more by following us @radioforgeeks and @consmash.

5:30 – 6:15PM ONE-ON-ONE WITH SMALLVILLE’S ALISON MACK (ROOM 9)

7:00 – 7:45PM DECADE OF THE DEAD: A ZOMBIE-VERSARY WITH AARON SAGERS (ROOM 6)Ten years ago, the dead came back to life in a big way, and the zombie genre has been shambling along ever since. From 28 Days Later, Shaun Of The Dead, The Zombie Survival Guide, The Walking Dead comic, Dawn of the Dead remake and more, 2003/04 was a period that kickstarted the current wave of undead heads. Join zombie guru Aaron Sagers, Editor At Large of Blastr.com and zombie fiend, and other experts as he discusses the important Zombie-versary, and why the era was so important. Zombies encouraged to attend!

SATURDAY

12:30 – 1:15PM INSIDE STARLING CITY W/ KATIE CASSIDY (ROOM 9)Starling City can feel a little bit safer with Katie Cassidy (Laurel Lance) around to help protect its citizens. Join the star of the hit CW show, Arrow, as she discuss her part on the hit show, share a detail or two about the upcoming season, her exciting roles outside of Arrow & much more!

2:00 – 2:30PM ONE-ON-ONE WITH SUMMER GLAU (BALLROOM A)

3:30 – 4:15PM REBECCA MADER: ONE WICKED WOMAN (ROOM 9)From comedy to drama to fantasy, Rebecca Mader can do it all! You’ve seen her in The Devil Wears Prada, The Men Who Stare at Goats, Ceremony, The Big Bang, Iron Man 3, and most recently in Once Upon a Time as the as delightfully evil and compelling Wicked Witch of the West. She joins us for her very first Wizard World panel where she’ll share stories from her career and turn to YOU for questions!

4:30 – 5:15PM MARVEL VS DC: THE BATTLE FOR SUPER CINEMA & TV (ROOM 9)Whether your loyalties lie with the Justice League or the Avengers, the stage is set for a live-action face-off between two comic giants on the big and small screen. As Marvel expands its connected universe on TV, Netflix and movies, DC has joined the action with a slate of shows and a whole lot of movies in the works. What does the battle mean for fans, and who will win? Join nerdy journalist Aaron Sagers, Editor At Large of Blastr.com, and other experts as we discuss this super showdown. Bring your loyalties and get ready for a great debate!